Oven Baked Cod

Name: Oven Baked Cod
Total time: 20 min
Yield: For Two
Ingredients: 2 cod fillets; 1 lemon; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 cloves garlic; 2 tbsp parsley

Oven baked cod is a light, flaky white fish dish that comes together with almost no effort and very little cleanup. The fillets bake in a simple bath of butter, garlic, and lemon until they turn opaque and tender, soaking up bright savory flavor. Serve it with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a fast and healthy dinner for two.

Gluten-Free Low-Carb Dairy-Free High-Protein Pescatarian Paleo Oven Dinner 30-Minute Cod

⏱ 20 min
📊 easy
🍽 For Two

Ingredients

2 cod fillets
1 lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp parsley

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200C (400F) and lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment so the delicate fillets release cleanly.
Pat two cod fillets very dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper so the flavor reaches the interior.
In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of paprika until well combined into a fragrant sauce.

Place the fillets in the dish and spoon the butter mixture evenly over the top, making sure every part of the fish glistens.
Bake uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness, until the cod turns from translucent to opaque white and flakes easily when nudged with a fork.
Check that the thickest part reaches 63C (145F) for safe doneness, then remove the dish promptly to avoid overcooking and dryness.
Let the cod rest for two minutes, garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges, and serve immediately while the butter is still warm and glossy.

💡 Chef's tip

Pat the cod completely dry with paper towels before seasoning, because surface moisture steams the fish and prevents the edges from gaining any golden color.

Patting the cod completely dry before baking lets the surface lightly brown instead of poaching in its own released water, which keeps the texture firm.